I had a great conversation with Denbigh High School’s Track Coach, John Perrin about how he brings inspiration to his athletes to be their best self. He enjoys being a beacon for young people with tiny, unseen moments that does not show up in the stat sheets. Coach Perrin wants to send his athletes to be mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy . That is no easy feat in a sport as demanding as track and field. Coach Perrin injects faith, strength, and a desire to strive for excellence into every team that he is a part of here in the Hampton Roads area. During his time at Gloucester High School, he always showed up to every Conn-Madden Relays to help with the hurdlers, the finish line, and whatever else was necessary. He can’t seem to stay away. He understands that teenagers of today have to make tough decisions about what they want to do with their lives. Athletes need counsel outside of their family and Coach Perrin cherishes the relationships that he has built with the young people in the community and continues to be a role model and advisor to each of them to assist in their success as a student-athlete and adult. Coach Perrin stated, “They gotta want to be there.”